Charity Directory

The City of Irvine Charity Directory is a list of charitable organizations that provide assistance to residents of Irvine and surrounding areas. It is organized by subject area and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Many of these organizations welcome support through monetary donations or volunteer service. For giving opportunities, please visit the website provided in the directory.

Organizations included in the directory must be located in Irvine or primarily serve Irvine residents. To be added to this list, please email Jenn Starnes at jstarnes@cityofirvine.org or call 949-724-7414.

Health

The AIDS Services Foundation (ASF) provides quality care, education, prevention, and advocacy services to men, women and children in Orange County affected by HIV. ASF offers comprehensive prevention, intervention and education programs. The prevention programs advocate healthy lifestyles by educating participants about risk factors and misunderstandings about HIV. The intervention programs promote early detection and offer counseling to help clients manage the disease. The education programs are intended to improve the lives of those already affected by HIV and prevent the disease from spreading further.

The Alzheimer's Association is a global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care and support, and a private nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research. It provides a comprehensive suite of programs and services – all at no charge – to meet the myriad of evolving needs of people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, their families, caregivers and the community.

The mission of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of those affected by the disease. The local chapter of ADA is committed to educating the public about diabetes and provides support to those living with the disease.

CCHI is an association of local community/children's health initiatives in 24 counties across California. Collectively, they have insured more than 150,000 previously uninsured children into the locally funded Healthy Kids program.

California Heart Connection is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides much-needed support and information to those born with heart defects. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting approximately 40,000 babies in the U.S. each year. Structural heart defects vary dramatically from acquired heart disease, often requiring different medical treatments and presenting unique issues to children and adults affected. California Heart Connection offers free services such as an online support group, events where families can meet, and downloadable resources. A picnic for those with congenital heart defects is held annually in June in Irvine. The nonprofit is run solely by volunteers and is supported through tax-deductible donations.

CHI OC, a member of the statewide community of CHI's, is committed to enrolling children and families into health care and social services programs. With our health care leaders, partners and donors, CHI OC works to implement, support and coordinate county-wide programs to provide health care access to uninsured and underserved children and families.

CHOC Foundation for Children - Small World Guild/Irvine
455 South Main Street
Orange, CA 92868
Telephone: 714-997-3000
Website: choc.org/

Since 1964, Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has been providing Orange County with pediatric care in a compassionate environment that is sensitive to the needs of patients and their families. The Guilds of Children's Hospital Orange County have acquainted the community with the mission of Children's Hospital and provide support for the hospital, clinics and services. The Small World Guild of Irvine welcomes you to join it in working to help ensure the health and wellbeing of children in Orange County. As a not-for-profit hospital, CHOC Children's depends on community support to keep leading edge care for infants, children and adolescents close to home.

Serving greater Orange County families and their loved ones with Down syndrome since 1978. Originally known as PROUD (Parents Regional Outreach for Understanding Down Syndrome), the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County became an official 501(c)(3) in 1980 and today serves more than 2,000 families. Its mission is to provide the means necessary to empower individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. Its vision is to become a model organization that will not cease until every person with Down syndrome is a valued member of society.

The Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County works to enhance the quality of life for people with Down Syndrome and their families through development and financial support of educational, social and support programs, and to promote Down Syndrome awareness and acceptance.

The Epilepsy Connection Foundation's mission is to help improve the lives of people living with seizure disorders by providing resources, information, support and empowerment through education and advocacy for the prevention, control and cure of epilepsy.

Fighting for Fitness is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity working to reduce the problem of childhood obesity through introducing kids to fun combat sport-oriented exercise regimens, healthier eating and to national - and international-level combat sport competitions.

The urgent mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness Inc. is to drive the research that will provide prevention, treatments and cures for the more than 9 million Americans affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

The Kids Who Care Foundation (KWCF), a volunteer based foundation, was founded by a 7-year old in 2004 with the help of her family to help bring joy to kids with chronic medical conditions and help families stay connected after her auto islet cell transplant. The Kids Who Care Foundation (KWCF) is a nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) and is solely dependent on volunteers and contributions from businesses, individuals and foundations within the community. All KWCF services are free to the kids and families served.

The Irvine Adult Day Health Services provides services designed to help individuals maintain their mobility and independence, enabling them to remain in their own home as long as possible, and to preserve and enhance their quality of life.

Irvine Community Drug Prevention (ICDP) is a nonprofit organization that develops and implements research-based prevention strategies to prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and violence in our schools and in the community. ICDP also provides referrals to those in need of early intervention services.

The Irvine Prevention Coalition is a collaboration of more than 60 agency partners. The coalition meets on the third Thursday of each month at the City of Irvine City Hall, 1 Civic Center Plaza, in the Conference and Training Center at 3 p.m..

The society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the society has provided more than $320 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes' researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects and low birth weight. March of Dimes carries out its mission in the name of babies, moms and families everywhere. One day, every family will know the joy of a healthy baby. Until then, there is the March of Dimes.

The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now – to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS stops people from moving – we exist to make sure it doesn't. The society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) was established in 1982 to improve the care, quality of life and survival rate of children with malignant diseases. PCRF is an independent, nonprofit organization located in Irvine, governed by a volunteer 24-member Board of Directors. Since 1982, PCRF's dedicated volunteers have raised more than $22 million for pediatric cancer research. The foundation is supported by donations from individuals, charitable foundations, businesses and through special events, projects and PCRF holiday card sales. A dedicated group of volunteers donate their time and talents to ensure that more than 80 percent of funds raised go directly to research.

Founded in 1953, United Cerebral Palsy serves children with all types of developmental disabilities and provides vital support to families. Each year, more than 2,500 children and families receive services in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Human Services

100 Black Men of Orange County Inc. is committed to community service in the areas of education, mentoring, economic development and empowerment, health and wellness, and information technology. It is committed to developing and strengthening a partnership between home, school and community of young African-American males with the objective of ensuring that each element of the partnership work together in the best interest of all African-American males. Its signature program, Passport to the Future, gives scholarships young men who successfully complete the four-year program from their freshmen to senior years of high school.

The American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguished itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

The Assistance League of Irvine provides clothing to Irvine children in need and is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to providing programs and services that will enrich and improve the quality of life in our community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County is a youth-mentoring nonprofit organization that professionally matches adult volunteers with at-risk children throughout Orange County to help them increase self-esteem, improve academic success and pursue a purposeful future. One hundred percent of children enrolled in the program until age 18 while matched graduate high school, and 87 percent enroll in college.

The Mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. To support Boy Scouts of America, visit give2bsa.org/

The Boys & Girls Club of Central Orange Coast is a youth development center serving the cities of Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Orange and Santa Ana. It offers numerous adult-supervised activities and programs to children in first grade through high school. Daily activities include computer skills, homework assistance, arts and crafts, sports leagues, health and awareness programs and more. Club enrichment programs provide more than daycare – they promote the healthy development of school-age children.

Catholic Charities of Orange County provides social service programs to reduce poverty, strengthen families and build healthy communities. The organization promotes a holistic approach to social service delivery that is client and community based. It also provides food distribution, professional individual, family and group counseling services and parent education programs, limited employment services, accredited resettlement, immigration and citizenship services, and a camping program for developmentally disabled individuals.

The Center for Living Peace is a place where children, families, and adults of all ages can connect to self and their spirit, to others, and to the world. The center provides a beautiful and inviting space for people to experience classes and programs dedicated to inner work and development; peace-making and effective communication; safeguarding the environment and arts and culture. The center's holistic approach to helping promote living peace recognizes that peace can be lived and experienced in all aspects of our daily lives.

The mission of the Community Action Partnership is to enhance the quality of life in Orange County by eliminating and preventing the causes and effects of poverty by mobilizing and directing resources to programs that assist, educate and promote self-sufficiency.

Corazon de Vida Foundation (CDV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994. CDV is committed to end the cycle of child homelessness. It believes that relocating children from the streets to safe housing, improving current orphanage condition and quality of life, and focusing on education will ensure a promising future for the children served. It raises contributions in the form of money, resources and volunteer work to support and empower the children of Baja.

Crime Survivors provides hope and healing to victims and survivors of crime through advocacy and support of resources, information, and empowerment from the critical time after a crime occurs through the challenges and successes of surviving and thriving.

The purpose of the Fair Housing Foundation is to actively support and promote freedom of residence through education, advocacy, and litigation; and to ensure that all persons have the opportunity to secure safe and decent housing that they desire and can afford, without regard to their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, familial status, marital status, disability, ancestry, age, source of income or other characteristics protected by laws. The Fair Housing Foundation is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1964 and is dedicated to eliminating discrimination in housing and promoting equal access to housing choices for everyone.

Families Forward is an Irvine-based nonprofit organization that assists homeless and low-income families. Its mission is to help families in need achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through housing, counseling, education and other support services. Founded in 1984 by a dedicated group of community members, Families Forward began with only five apartment units and one part-time counselor. Since then, it has grown to include fourteen homes, a food pantry, program and career counseling, and life skills training.

Friends of Outreach is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3, all volunteer, Irvine based organization that helps support the City of Irvine senior outreach programs. The organization conducts service projects, fund-raising programs and weekly social activities at Lakeview Senior Center. Activities are open to all, community members are encouraged to join, participate and make friends while serving a worthy cause. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation or want to know more about the organization, please contact Pat Hendee at phendee62cox.net.

Girl Scouting is a continuous adventure in learning that offers every girl a broad range of activities – field trips, cultural exchanges, community service, leadership opportunities, skill-building workshops, outdoor education – to address her current interests and her future role as a successful woman. Through the guidance of trained leaders who provide encouragement, friendship, advice and resources, Girl Scouting helps each girl learn to set and reach goals, develop leadership skills, form lifelong habits for community service work and reach her fullest potential through personal growth and career exploration.

HomeAid Orange County was established by the Building Industry Association of Southern California to build and renovate shelters for the temporarily homeless, with the goal of adding to the number of shelter beds in Orange County.

Human Options' mission is to help battered women, their families and the community break the cycle of domestic violence. Human Options provides safety for women and their children, long-term support to rebuild lives and education to create a safe community.

Illumination Foundation's mission is to provide targeted, interdisciplinary services for the most vulnerable homeless clients to break or prevent the cycle of homelessness. It assesses families and individuals to identify needs, provide immediate relief when necessary as well as ongoing care that combines housing with case management, medical care, mental health, and workforce services.

ICEC serves more than 750 special needs children and their families on an annual basis. Its mission is to assist each developmentally delayed child in achieving optimum developmental potential. This is accomplished by providing global therapy and intervention designed for each child's abilities, while offering emotional support and training to the entire family.

The Irvine Child Care Project (ICCP) was established through a joint powers agreement between the City of Irvine and the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) in 1984. Under the direction of the ICCP, modular facilities have been placed on Irvine elementary school sites to provide before and after school childcare for children in grades kindergarten through sixth. The ICCP selects and monitors the nonprofit childcare providers who operate the individual programs.

The Irvine Children's Fund assists the community by funding scholarships to working, low-income families for before and after school child care. The organization sponsors the Irvine Junior Games and provides an athletic venue for the children of the City of Irvine.

The Irvine Community Alliance Fund (ICAF) is a nonprofit organization created to support the programs and services offered through the City of Irvine Community Services Department. ICAF was created to link individuals, organizations and businesses desiring to raise funds for programs and services offered through the Department. ICAF welcomes grant funding, as well as corporate and individual donations.

The Irvine Community Land Trust (ICLT) is an organization, established in 2006, dedicated to providing affordable housing opportunities for the community and region. The ICLT develops and preserves both rental and ownership units.

The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee provides charitable and educational activities and support for the benefit and welfare of the United States Marines and their families assigned to Camp Pendleton, with special emphasis on the Marines and families of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines ("2/11 Marines"). The Committee also educates and informs the community regarding the 2/11's activities and responsibilities.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160 countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs. The main objective of Rotary is service – in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self."

The Jessie Rees Foundation was inspired by a compassionate 12-year-old little girl who courageously fought two brain tumors from March 3, 2011, to January 5, 2012. While others strive to find a cure, the Jessie Rees Foundation provides care to each child fighting cancer and their families through fun-filled JoyJars® that are sent to children all across the nation and around the world.

Jewish Federation provides programming and supports a range of educational and human services through its Community Partners (BBYO, the Bureau of Jewish Education, Hebrew Academy, Hillel, Jewish Family Service, the Merage JCC, Morasha Jewish Day School and Tarbut V'Torah Community Day School). Volunteer activities include Reading Partners, a program sending volunteers into K-3 public school classrooms to increase the English literacy of at-risk youth.

The Irvine Kiwanis Club is a global volunteer organization that provides service projects and support for high school Key Clubs, college Circle-K clubs, Boy Scouts Irvine Boys & Girls club, Creekside High School, the Orange County Children's Book Festival, See Better - Read Better Vision Screening, Relay for Life, Isaiah House Shelter, Ronald McDonald House and the City of Irvine Youth Action Team.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children ages 2.5-18 years with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. To donate a car, boat or RV to the Wheels for Wishes program, please visit their website.

The mission of the MADD organization is to stop drunken driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD was founded in California in 1980 and has been serving Orange County since 1981. MADD serves the Orange County communities through a variety of services and programs. MADD is not a crusade against alcohol consumption. The focus of MADD is to look for effective solutions to impaired driving and underage drinking, and to provide support services to individuals, families and friends whose lives have been impacted by impaired drivers. MADD accomplishes this through the use of a wide variety of educational programs and by offering victim services. To make a donation or volunteer, please call 714-838-6199.

OCCHC is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help large families with little housing choice avoid poverty-like conditions through the provision of decent housing at an affordable price. Its founding in 1977 was based on the principle that our low-wage families deserve safe housing and safe neighborhoods.

Assists nonprofits, public, and community organizations by linking them with volunteer, education, professional development and information resources. The Board Connection Program trains and links, via a personal coach, individuals interested in leadership positions on nonprofit board of directors. Affords companies an opportunity to link to the community and provides their employees with leadership training. Provides nonprofits with educational opportunities for board development, recruiting and orienting.

The Orange County Makapo Aquatics Project (OCMAP) is 501(c)(3) charity that provides the blind and visually impaired with recreational and competitive opportunities to paddle outrigger canoes. Its mission is to help blind and visually impaired athletes see their potential.

Orange County United Way focuses on what matters – the lives it changes and the communities it shapes. It brings the right people together to leverage all available resources and dollars to create a positive community impact, and is involved in fundraising to support health and human service providers in Orange County.

Pure Game teaches character values to youth and children as part of a cooperative form of soccer open to all – boys and girls, athletes and non-athletes. Using the most popular sport in the world, it teaches kids how to break free from their current circumstances and negative mindsets by promoting a life-changing message of growth and empowerment that helps develop every aspect of a child's life.

The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers provide spiritual, social and emotional assistance for men and women who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves. Each center offers residential housing, work, and group and individual therapy, all in a clean, wholesome environment. The physical and spiritual care that program participants receive prepares them to re-enter society and return to gainful employment. Many of those who have been rehabilitated are reunited with their families and resume a normal life.

Assists low-income and homeless people with financial assistance for housing costs and, through a network of comprehensive support services, enable them to become self-sufficient and no longer dependent on public support.

Share Our Selves was established to provide for the most serious concerns of the poor residing in Orange County: food, clothing and emergency financial aid for housing, transportation, prescriptions and children’s needs

The society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international, charitable organization that helps people unable to provide for their basic needs. The work of the society is performed by conferences within individual communities. Through home visits, SVDP reaches out to provide help. Services include assistance with rent payment, utility bill payment, food delivery, medical and dental expenses, clothing vouchers, help with transportation to doctor appointments and spiritual enrichment. Information regarding other resources is also provided.

South County Outreach is dedicated to providing hunger and homeless prevention services to families in crisis in southern Orange County. South County Outreach helps the underemployed and the unemployed reach self-sufficiency by providing the following services: food pantry, transitional housing, utility and rental assistance, homeless prevention counseling, computer training and clothing to support homeless families.

Sports Gift is focused on providing sports to impoverished and disadvantaged children throughout the world. Sports Gift also promotes sports-related community service in America through the collection and distribution of new and gently used sports equipment. Students and adults can organize a collection of sports equipment at their sports teams and leagues, schools, scout groups, offices and churches. It also has volunteer opportunities at its warehouse to help process and prepare the sports equipment for distribution.

The Sudanese American National Affairs and Development Foundation is a nonprofit1 501(c)(3) broad-based community initiative dedicated to "enhancing the quality of life of Sudanese American children and families." Its mission is to assist men, women, and families of Sudanese heritage overcome cultural and language barriers, and to motivate and inspire them to be educated, enlightened, and better functioning citizens through counseling and ESL classes.

Sutton Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides adults with developmental and other disabilities the ability to learn daily living skills, use neighborhood services, and enjoy a family atmosphere. The foundation helps both men and women ages 18 to 59 that are identified as having a need for long-term care placement and/or behavioral modification as identified by the Regional Center of Orange County.

Taller San Jose walks undereducated, unskilled and unemployed youth in Orange County out of poverty through a comprehensive and strategically designed job-training program. Taller San Jose is a highly focused, goal-oriented program that helps students develop into self-reliant adults through three key job-training programs in medical careers, office careers and construction, as well as support services such as mentoring and counseling, legal assistance, 12-step support programs and job placement.

Team Kids is a nonprofit organization devoted to providing school-based and community-wide service learning programs for children and young adults. Honored as one of the best service-learning programs on the West Coast at the 2005 National Service Learning Conference, Team Kids implements programs to help raise the self-esteem and confidence in young people, while empowering them to serve as advocates to help others.

THINK Together, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is one of California’s leading and largest providers of after-school programs serving 100,000 students at more than 400 schools and community centers throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino and Sacramento counties.

Vehicles for Veterans is Car Donation Foundation's vehicle donation program. Car Donation Foundation is a tax-exempt charity under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. Car Donation Foundation donates proceeds from its Vehicles for Veterans program to other tax-exempt charities that help disabled veterans.

Veterans First is the only private, nonprofit 501(c)(3), community-based agency in Orange County providing services exclusively to homeless veterans and their families. It provides a comprehensive effort that includes housing and nutritional meals; case management, substance abuse aftercare life skills and transportation. We also assist with employment assessment, training and placement assistance.

Women Helping Woman assists women in their transition to self-sufficiency by providing a "Professional Clothes Closet" aimed at supplying suitable clothes so they can dress appropriately for job interviews and employment as they seek to enter or re-enter the workforce. Clients include victims of domestic violence, homeless, refugees, parolees and working poor.

WomanSage is a nonprofit organization of successful, community-oriented women, who come together to enjoy the camaraderie of other women, while supporting the WomanSage Cares Philanthropies. The WomanSage Cares philanthropies assist women who are facing serious life challenges to get back on their feet as contributing members of the community.

Education

Arts & Learning Conservatory seeks to make opportunities for the arts, including school theater arts and summer camp programs, available to all children. Scholarship and volunteer opportunities are available.

The Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA) provides superlative artistic training with a top-ranked liberal arts education, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in art, dance, drama and music. Curriculum includes extensive studio, workshop and performance experiences; theoretical and historical studies; and arts and technology practices. More than 200 plays, concerts, dance performances and art exhibitions are produced annually. All are open to the public, many are free and others offer affordable ticket pricing.

The Concordia University Foundation is an exempt organization created for the benefit of Concordia University with the purpose of soliciting, receiving, and distributing funds to and for the use of Concordia University.

READ/Orange County is an adult literacy program serving all of Orange County. It is very active in Irvine and has a literacy center in the Irvine libraries. One out of every four adults in Orange County cannot read at basic literacy skill levels. Friends of READ/OC is a nonprofit organization assisting READ/OC by providing funds for tutor training materials, books, supplies and much more.

The International Academy of Irvine is the leading bilingual immersion (French/English or Spanish/English) International school in Southern California. The academy offers the world-renowned French early childhood program at its preschool and the rigorous French and Spanish curriculum, with the openness of the American curriculum in its first through 12th grades. In a morally and ethically grounded spirit of higher education, the academy prepares its students to access the most demanding universities in the United States and Europe.

Irvine Public Schools Foundation's (IPSF) mission is to enrich the educational experience of each child in every school. IPSF achieves this by providing programs, raising funds and uniting the community in support of educational excellence.

The Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) believes that every student deserves an educational experience complete with access to music, art, and science programs, both during the school day and outside of the classroom. With community support and investment, together we can provide enrichment opportunities for our children that will help foster the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and creators.

The nonprofit MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education organization founded by UC Irvine researchers. MIND’s mission is to enable K-12 students from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to succeed in the 21st century knowledge economy. MIND deploys distinctive, research-based visual math education programs that include award-winning software, teacher training, and ongoing classroom support. Currently, the organization impacts more than 200 Orange County schools, reaching 89,000 students and, on average, doubling their growth in math proficiency. Nationwide, MIND reaches about 800,000 students, 31,000 teachers and 2,500 schools in 40 states.

Pretend City Children's Museum is the place where imagination and education come to play in a child-sized, interconnected city. Pretend City builds better brains by providing a rich learning environment for young children. The museum features a small, interconnected city designed to stimulate purposeful play, hands-on learning experiences, role playing and educational programming.

Project Tomorrow is a national education nonprofit dedicated to the empowerment of student voices in education. Through national consulting, evaluation, and research projects; the development of innovative career exploration programs in schools and communities; and national and regional advocacy efforts, Project Tomorrow ensures that today’s students are prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and engaged citizens of the world.

The South Coast Literacy Council is an all-volunteer organization that offers free English classes for adults in Irvine and surrounding communities. The primary mission is to help adults acquire the English language skills they need for daily living, employment opportunities, and integration into society.

The UCI Foundation was formed for the purpose of encouraging voluntary private gifts, trusts and bequests for the benefit of the University of California, Irvine. The foundation provides financial support for various University schools and programs, including research grants, student scholarships, instructional support, equipment purchases, capital improvements and education.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy was created to help care for the 50,000 acres of permanently protected wildlands and parks on the historic Irvine Ranch. The organization works with its partners to enhance the public's appreciation, understanding and connection to the land, while helping other landowners and managers with all aspects of stewardship.

To work with public agencies, preservation-oriented organizations, property owners and the interested public to encourage preservation, enhancement and restoration of natural resources within the reserve and to preserve, protect, and enhance the environmental, natural, wildlife habitat, and recreational values of such lands

The Orange County Animal Rescue Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organized exclusively for charitable purposes, more specifically to promote humane treatment and quality of life for all animals, rescue animals in need, reduce pet overpopulation and provide pet adoption services.

Sea & Sage Audubon is a leader in creating an understanding of nature in Orange County through conservation, research and environmental education programs for children and adults. This is accomplished with classes, publications, and volunteer opportunities.

International

The Africa Project was inspired by the stunning 2003 BBC Documentary by Brian Woods and Deborah Shipley called "The Orphans of Nkandla" that looks at children who are orphaned because of AIDS. The heartbreaking and disturbing story of these children was so moving for a group of citizens in the California community of Irvine that they decided to do something immediately to help. They formed The Africa Project driven by the belief that despite the unprecedented scale of this tragedy, even the smallest steps to help these children would count.

The Irvine Multicultural Association is a non-political, non-religious, non-sectarian, secular and social group formed and supported by volunteers in the City of Irvine whose mission is to promote cultural harmony in the community. The association’s purpose is to nurture and promote cross-cultural communication, education, appreciation, and understanding in the community.

Cultural Arts

Irvine Barclay Theatre is an independent nonprofit organization established nearly 20 years ago as an innovative public-private partnership with the vision of creating a unique performing arts venue. The private sector, the City of Irvine and the University of California, Irvine, combined funding and land to achieve a long-standing mutual goal. The partners created Irvine Barclay Theatre to showcase top quality artists, to provide a superior facility for local and regional arts groups, and to enhance UCI's educational mission, particularly the programs generated by its School of the Arts. The theatre building is named for Mr. Richard Barclay, an area philanthropist, who provided the leading gift for the theatre's construction.

The Irvine Historical Museum is operated by the Irvine Historical Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the original Irvine Ranch's rich history. The museum is located adjacent the Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course clubhouse and is open Sundays and Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m., and by appointment (tour groups).

The Korean American Center is a 503(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Irvine, CA dedicated to building connections between intergenerational Korean-Americans and others in the community by promoting opportunities for appreciation of Korea’s rich cultural heritage. We do this through hosting the annual Irvine Korean Cultural Festival, a formal Korean language program, Korean/English language exchange, fostering educational opportunities and workshops designed to educate people about Korean culture, and by providing opportunities for community activities, which further promote our purpose. We aim to integrate others of various backgrounds that have a common interest in Korea and its culture.

The Orange County Women's Chorus believes that music is essential to the human spirit; that singing promotes joy and fellowship; and that learning about people through their music will lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the human family. The mission is to make quality women's choral music a vibrant part of the Southern California arts scene by presenting, advocating and promoting choral music of the highest standards of artistry from different cultures and eras. The Orange County Women’s Chorus offers choral music concerts several times annually to audiences ranging from 200 to 500 people throughout Orange County. The Orange County Women’s Chorus offers a conducting internship annually to a promising young woman conductor, partners with other nonprofit organizations in the community, and offers tickets to under-served populations. The Orange County Women's Chorus believes in the power of women's voices not only to make beautiful music, but also to help create community and opportunity.

The Philharmonic Society of Orange County is a world leader in the presentation and education of great music, presenting Irvine, and all of Orange County, with the world’s most acclaimed symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, and soloists with performances at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Orange County Performing Arts Center, and Orange County Museum of Art. The Philharmonic Society also provides an extensive array of music education programs, free of charge, to nearly 200,000 children from kindergarten through high school each year.